Lake Atitlán

I am a big, sparkling blue jewel held by giant, sleepy mountains. During the day, the warm sun makes me glitter and shine. Little boats tickle my surface as they float by, carrying happy friends from one side to the other. Birds sing songs to me from the trees that grow all around. I love to watch the fluffy white clouds drift across the sky above me. I have a special name, and I want to share it with you. I am Lake Atitlán, in the beautiful country of Guatemala.

I had a big, fiery birthday a very, very long time ago. Before I was here, a giant volcano stood tall where I now rest. About 84,000 years ago, the volcano had a huge sneeze and went KABOOM. It wasn't scary, it was just very loud. This big sneeze left a giant, empty bowl in the earth, right between the mountains. Then, for many, many years, the rain came to visit. Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, the raindrops filled the giant bowl, drop by drop. And that is how I was born. After I was full of water, three new volcanoes grew up around me to be my friends and keep me company. They watch over me every day.

I have had friends living by my shores for a very long time. The Maya people built their colorful villages all around me, and they still live here today. They tell stories about me and my mountain friends. I also hold a little secret. Deep down, under my sparkly blue water, an old town is sleeping. It is very quiet and peaceful down there. I love it when new friends come to visit me from all over the world. They paint beautiful pictures of my blue water and my volcano friends. I am here to share my sparkle and remind everyone how wonderful our world is.